The Calculators - Circuit Breaking Silence/Simplicity and Style 10" Reissue

The Calculators
Circuit Breaking Silence/Simplicity and Style 10" Reissue
PrinceHouse Records
Grade: A-

The Calculators are a band of what was, what could have been and what is. Existing for a brief time in 1997-1999 in the punk dominated Bay-area, the Calculators struck on a path that is only now being realized fully in independent music. Not that this is a path that hasn't been beaten before, as with most things, but more like its resurgence. The Calculators divulged and indulged in the electronic, synth-driven, new wave reviving punk that is championed today by bands such as the Faint, Interpol and the Rapture. That this is the case is not surprising given that two of the members from the Calculators, Luke Jenner and Vito Roccoforte, formed the Rapture and another, Jeff Fare, went on to form electronic-beat masters Paradise Boys (also on PrinceHouse). So just imagine taking the best of those two groups and combining them into thirteen thrilling and mesmerizing tracks - and that is what this reissue is. Though maintaining the droning, monotone vocals of New Wave greats, the pure instrumentation and construction is the big draw here. After hearing the synth notes to the opening track "Worthless in a World of Wires," it will stick in your head and you will be drawn to listening on repeat like white on rice. Most of the tracks operate at slightly above moderate tempo, but that doesn't seem to degenerate the pure danceability. As expected, the basslines and simple-note picking guitar add mightily to the draw of the synths. I guess that I'm drawn to the tracks with the synths that make your heart skip around. Hence, there are a few. "This is Evolution" is slow with drums, bass and vocals trudging along before the Calculators allow the synths to snap in and pick up the tempo. "Inside" starts off vocally like an electronic Clash as the chorus creeps on you in pure New Wave fashion. "Dead Is Dead" is a dance party within itself with the synths and the enhanced guitars making for a fun time. To round out the record "The Agenda" and "Kill Me Radio" are exquisite. Though I point out these few, there is not a bad song on this reissue. If you have any love for the aforementioned bands then you should definitely pick this up. Though the band itself doesn't exist, be prepared to get hammered by clubs playing these numbers.